The All India Football Federation (AIFF) faced a setback as Ranjit Bajaj, owner of Minerva Academy and an outspoken advocate for grassroots football, declined the offer to manage India's U-15 team for the FIFA U-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan. The appointment came after a series of debates about India's youth football setup, with Bibiano Fernandes retaining his position as head coach and Bajaj joining as team manager to collaborate with existing youth programs. However, Bajaj claimed that he was not informed about the decision before it was announced publicly, leading to confusion and eventual rejection of the offer. He expressed disappointment in the manner the appointment was handled, questioning the professionalism of the AIFF. The AIFF's attempt to combine grassroots expertise with continuity in the national setup has sparked debates over their planning and communication skills.